Corona Devotionals

Our (faith-filled) nature can at times make us feel bad  about being treated badly.   We sometimes don't want to ask too much from God, even if that means asking for kind (fair!) treatment of ourselves from others. A friend loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17)  but what about when our enemies, or those that are against God...are against us? What can our prayer be when we are up against violence ?   What is appropriate for us to say to God when people  plot evil in their hearts and stir up trouble all day long ? Do we just grin-and-bear-it when  their tongues sting like a snake and   the venom of a viper drips from their lips ?   We are called to be kind, and God's Law is to love, but should patience have an expiration date when  the proud have set a trap to catch me ?  And when the wicked  have stretched out a net , and when   they have placed traps all along the way ? Really...what level of honesty is acceptable to ...

At our Bible study the other night, we began the small-group (questions) time by introducing ourselves and then sharing "Something good that happened to us this week". We heard about double dates, and shopping sprees, as well as watching-World-Cup-soccer-games, and I appreciated the idea (and awareness) of anticipated-joy as a few people shared about things that they were looking forward-to that are  going to happen (to them)   in the next few days, including a trip to Cedar Point Amusement Park. What would we  say if someone asked us to share about  "Something good that happened to us this week"? What comes to mind? What comes to heart ? Could we share about something good?   This might not be a physical-evidence question as much as a heart-question.  If our heart  is not healthy, then our gratitude meter (which allows us to measure good things), will be askew.   If we are not thankful  for anything....then it may be that we have t...

Everyone knows what sticks and stones will do ( break my bones ), and we know the rest of that rhyme too: " but words will never hurt me ". Is that true, though? Ask the child with the critical parent. Ask the bullied boy or girl. Ask those following Jesus in a world that knows Him not. Ask me. Ask yourself. Whose words are defining us today? If we are not careful, other people and their words will gain an unhealthy and incorrect influence over us. God's Word , and His Truth define us and who we are, and God has a lot to say...an entire Bible, actually. All written for you and me to better understand His love for us and His truth about us. God also gives us true accounts within the Bible of people who did it right when it came to believing what God said about them, instead of believing the bullies. David knew God, and David knew what God said about him...and David believed it, and David stood upon God's Word about him. ~~~ How did Goliath treat David? And whe...

How is our plumb line?   No....not our plum line.. .  Our... plumb line .  How is our plumb line ?  Okay, first: What is it?  What is a plumb line ?  Ask any carpenter or builder, dating back to about the 15th century (the first time the term was used).   Or, if we were to ask the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, it would say that a plumb line is:  a line (as of cord) that has at one end a weight (such as a plumb bob) and is used especially to determine verticality.   A plumb line is a simple tool consisting of a string with a heavy weight (plumb bob) attached to one end.  B y relying on gravity, it provides a perfectly straight vertical reference line used to ensure structures are true, measure depths, or align objects.  ~ Merriam-Webster Dictionary A plumb line is a device that keeps things (measurements/structures/foundations) on the straight and narrow... literally , and i n the Bible, God uses the term plumb line t...